Los Angeles Lakers Looking to Tap Michael Beasley

Kobe Bryant of NBA's Los Angeles Lakers speaks at a panel for the Showtime television documentary "Kobe Bryant's Muse" during the Television Critics Association Cable Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, California July 18, 2014.
REUTERS

The Los Angeles Lakers continue their rebuilding efforts in the 2014 offseason after inviting Michael Beasley to work out with the squad on Wednesday. Beasley was the overall no. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft out of Kansas State in college.

Dave McMenamin a Lakers beat reporter broke the story on Twitter and mentioned that Beasley looked good in the initial work out.

The Lakers worked out free agent forward Michael Beasley in El Segundo on Wednesday, per multiple league sources

Source who saw Beasley's workout tells me: "Looked very good and he has been working out ... A tiny rust from layoff but did a good job" — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 30, 2014

Currently, the Lakers are already above the salary cap set around $63.5 million. After signing Kobe Bryant to a two-year $48.5M deal (or $23.45M in 2014-2015) in the previous offseason, the Lakers splurged on own free agent Jordan Hill ($9M) and Nick Young (nearly $5M).

L.A. also acquired Jeremy Lin (via trade with the Houston Rockets) with a salary of $14.5M (only $8.37M counts against the cap); Julius Randle (via draft) for $3.99M; Ed Davis (via free agency) for just under $1M and Carlos Boozer (via waivers) for $3.25M. Completing the Lakers roster thus far are Ryan Kelly ($1.65M) and Robert Sacre ($915K).

The possible signing of Beasley, who will most likely demand a part of the mid-level exception, will add depth to their forward spots and serve as back-up to the veteran Boozer and rookie Randle.

Beasley has career averages of 13.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 409 games in the NBA. He never lived up to the expectations of a top pick however and saw career low numbers in Miami last season. He played in limited minutes (15.1 minutes/game) and produced just 7.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 55 outings.

If he makes it to the Lakers final line-up, Beasley will be joining his fourth team in seven NBA seasons. The 25-year-old has suited up for the Heat (2008 to 2010, 2013-2014) Minnesota Timberwolves (2010 to 2012) and Phoenix Suns (2012-2013).